SPHL Champion Kerr Tabbed as Next Swamp Rabbits Head Coach

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Greenville Swamp Rabbits have a new bench boss, after not renewing Brian Gratz‘s contract at the end of this season.

Today, the Swamp Rabbits announced Kevin Kerr will be the third head coach in the nine-year history of the franchise. Kerr had stepped down from the same job with the Macon Mayhem in the Southern Professional Hockey League on Tuesday. The Mayhem will announce their next head coach, expected to be Leo Thomas, later this afternoon.

“I am very excited and proud to hire Kevin Kerr as our new Head Coach of the Greenville Swamp Rabbits,” said team President & CEO Steve Donner. “It was my goal to bring a coach to the team that has won championships both as a player and as a coach. I am determined to build a winning culture in Greenville with hard-working, physical teams.

“Kevin worked hard for everything he has achieved as a player and as a coach,” Donner continued, “and he brings the same work ethic and desire to win with him to Greenville. His teams are competitive and fun to watch, and very hard to play against.”

Kerr has guided the Macon Mayhem for the last three seasons. Since assuming the role of Head Coach and Director of Hockey Operations/General Manager in 2015, he compiled a 94-56-11-7 record. Macon qualified for the postseason each of the team’s first three seasons and collected a President’s Cup Championship in 2017.

“I’d like to thank Steve Donner and the entire Swamp Rabbits organization for this great opportunity. I’m excited to come to Greenville and help build a winning team, one that’s hard to play against and fun to watch,” said Kerr.

Prior to taking over as the first coach in Macon Mayhem history, the North Bay, Ontario native spent two seasons with the New York Bobcats in the EHL. His resurgence into coaching came after a five-year hiatus. After wrapping up his playing career, Kerr took over the North Bay Skyhawks of the NOJHL for his first shot behind the bench.

Kerr then took over as head coach of the Flint Generals for two seasons where he had previously played 417 games, tallied 674 points (356G, 318A), and accrued 1,421 PIMS across eight seasons. Kerr was one of two players to have his number retired by the Generals and led the organization in points and goals when the club folded in 2010.

The Swamp Rabbits are also searching for an NHL affiliation after the New York Rangers left the team at the end of the season to partner with the expansion Maine Mariners.